New UN data shows 40% increase in people in need; IRC calls on UK to step up and fund frontline response

December 1, 2020 —  Elinor Raikes, Vice President of Program Delivery, said, 

“Today’s release of the Global Humanitarian Needs Overview is a shocking reminder of the world’s inequalities and evidence that the most vulnerable are the ones most suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The number of people in need has increased by 40 percent to 235 million in the last year, almost entirely due to COVID-19 and the burden it is placing on economies, healthcare, education and basic infrastructure.

With the Sahel region, northeast Nigeria, South Sudan and Yemen all facing the threat of famine, the UK Government's decision to cut foreign aid spending couldn't come at a worse time. It is vital that the government commits to maintaining existing levels of funding to help save lives and livelihoods in fragile and conflict-affected countries."